God proposed the plan and Waited for Mary's "Yes"

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : Fifth Week: Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Luke 1:26-38*

*First Reading - Is 7:10-14, 8:10*

*Second Reading -Heb 10:4-10*

*God proposed the plan and Waited for Mary's "Yes"*

*1) God's Beautiful plan for Mary*

The whole episode of today's Gospel clearly shows us the best plan of God, to a simple Girl of Galilee

The plan was to become the Mother of God's Son. 

This could be the highest offer which could be offered to a simple yet Holy girl of Galilee. 

That's why this is a very special and beautiful plan of God to Mary

*2) The execution of the Plan*

God sends Angel Gabriel to execute the plan. 

So first the Angel comes to Mary and tells her about God's conception of Mary 

*Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with You* This is what God thinks of Mary

Secondly the Angel communicates the purpose for which the Angel had come *Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.*

This is the plan of God to Mary 

Thirdly the Angel clarifies the Doubt of Mary 

Mary had a doubt, how this will happen without getting married to Joseph. So she expressed her doubt. 

Then we see that the Angel is clarifying her doubts and gives the way through which she will conceive 

Finally we see that Mary says *Yes* to the plan of God. 

This is how the plan gets executed in the Life of Mary 

*3) In the plan we see no force*

First of all God had a beautiful plan for Mary, but it didn't have force from God's side in any way 

Things are explained clearly  by the Angel. There is no ambiguity in the plan 

Thirdly the Angel did not say to Mary to say *Yes* to the Lord. The Angel only communicated the plan of God 

So no force what so ever either from God or the Angel

*4) Angel waited until Mary said Yes*

Even though the Angel got negetive answer from Mary, the angel didn't depart from her 

From the part of the Angel, Gabriel tried to explain and communicated the greatness of the plan 

It was a beautiful approach by the angel to convince Mary 

Then ultimately, Angel waited for the Answer of Mary 

The Angel departed only after getting the answer from Mary

*5) God, prepares a plan, explains it and waits for our response*

This procedure is very clear in the life of mother Mary

The same also true with our life. 

If so what would the God's beautiful plan for my life? 

Has it come to me or have I realised it through the Angels like my parents, elders, teachers, situations, failures, challenges, crisis, etc 

Like Angel Gabriel there are various people, situations and events through which comes God's beautiful plan for my life

*6) What Would be God's plan for me?*

First of all do I feel that the way of life, which I have chosen is in line with the God's beautiful plan for my life? 

If I am not comfortable with it, what has gone wrong with it? 

What can I do more to implement God's beautiful plan for my life?

God still waits for my *Yes* to His plan. What is my response 

*7) It is not one plan for whole life*

It was not one single plan for Mary's whole life 

The first plan brought with it a series of God's plan to her life 

Some were wonderful, some were challenging and other were too difficult. But Mary accepted  all the plans of God for her life 

Our life too has too many plans designed by God

Am I able to accept all these God's plan to my life? 

Each day brings a new and beautiful plan of God to my life 

What's my response? 

Think about it

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*